Those who work hard and invest in themselves do so to stay in the world stronger and longer for the people they love, and for all those they will inspire and encourage as a result.

Playing small offers no favour to this world.

Do not quit or be guilted about self-investment.

This is your LIFE and legacy at stake and nobody has the right to throw opinionated rocks at you, nor distract you with fear-soaked ‘cotton wool’ limits.

If you’re operating from reason and integrity then you must play all out for yourself.

It’s the only way to authentically reach the platform where you can go all out for others.

The more you make of yourself the more you genuinely have to offer.

“To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don’t isolate.”

― Michael Jordan

Great minds think alike, so rise up like Baruch, Michael and I, and countless others who have held fierce to their life, and don’t EVER allow yourself to be shamed out of creating your greatest self, your legacy.

There will sometimes be worthy things that pop up and need your attention from time to time. Fakes aren’t one of them. Haters are just fake distractions hoping to become more. Breeze past that trash. You do You. You amazing, worthy, powerful light. Keep Walking.

So to YOU my wise friend, today (or any day) should you encounter someone who wants you to shrink to please them (or to fit a so called status quo)… breathe in deep and take up all that rightful, valuable space in yourself.

Never back down on backing and investing in yourself. You were born to be you. Don’t dim your power for anyone…

Authenticity, self-respect, bravery, permission to be ALL that you are… the world not only needs that stuff like insulin…

There are also others watching you, who by proxy will learn that it’s invaluable, imperative and necessary to back who they are without shame, without shrinkage or dissolution.

Go out there and live ALL that you are…

Makes me so darn proud and overjoyed when I see someone take up space and OWN their life.

Go, you good thing, GO live out loud.

I’m cheering you fierce from the sidelines, I believe in you, make sure YOU believe in you and don’t back down…

If your light is too bright, others can be warmed and inspired by it or buy shades and sit respectfully in a back row.

After my last post and the influx of responses received, I wanted to speak a little more to the power of owning yourselves…

the power of not being beholden to other peoples projections, expectations, misconceptions or in some cases, outright bullying…

Remember this; it’s what you do with the words after someone has spoken them to you that counts. That’s where the true power lies.

You are the sole person who gets to say if they’re true and to take them into your life.

I’m here to tell you, it’s not true that you are unworthy of love. It’s a story, but it’s not true. It’s actually a lie.

And most of all, most imperative of all is loving yourself. Gosh, so much has been said on self-love that you may initially wince when you read those words.

I’m not a mushy kind of person. I’ve been new-aged to death like everyone else. But the truth is, REAL self-love is not some soft-coated, flowery coat you put on with affirmations in the pockets.

Real self love is strong, gutsy, ballsy, respectful, take-no-prisoners energy towards yourself that shows up in your life as courage, dignity, repeated-resurrection, humility, compassion, humour and down to the bones living.

As Hemingway said: “A man can be destroyed and still not be defeated’

You can get knocked down by someones words, the song was wrong, sticks and stones can hurt your bones and words CAN also hurt you!

BUT, massive clause here, don’t you leave it at that. No sir!

You get back up, smack those words off like dust and remember the truth…

Sure some sucker can come along and knock you off your chair for a moment but YOU remember who you are, remember that ballsy self that doesn’t hand over life and truth to someone who thinks it’s okay to knock you.

YOU’RE the driver of your life, kick anyone out who tries to climb up in the rig and grab the wheel. They can get back in their own truck and deal with their own speed bumps.

You’ve got a road you’re on and a journey to make.

Love the person at the wheel, they’re gonna take you places you never imagined possible, you just have to remember they’re there, and don’t let anyone get between you and that kind of love.

That’s one place that rightfully and completely belongs to you, one love that won’t leave you high and dry. Period.